The Monastery of Santo Toribio de Liébana is experiencing a particularly intense year. The arrival of pilgrims has been very significant during 2026, especially in summer, while the Brotherhood of the Holy Cross and the Bishopric of Santander are already advancing in preparations for the next Lebaniego Jubilee Year of 2028.
The Camino Lebaniego begins to look strongly towards 2028.
Although there is still time before the opening of the next Jubilee Year, in Santo Toribio de Liébana there is already a significant increase in pilgrims and growing activity around the monastery, the Lignum Crucis and the route itself.
José Redondo, president of the Brotherhood of the Holy Cross, explains that 2026 is being an especially significant year for the monastery, for the Brotherhood and for the Bishopric of Santander.
One of the reasons is precisely the preparation of the future Jubilee.
Preparations for 2028
During the last Ordinary Assembly of the Brotherhood, different issues related to the Lebaniego Jubilee Year of 2028 were already addressed.
According to Redondo, there is a good understanding between the Government of Cantabria and the Bishopric of Santander, which is allowing progress on different organizational issues.
Among the proposed proposals also appears the intention to give a more homogeneous image to the signage linked to Santo Toribio and to reinforce the presence of the Lignum Crucis as a central element.
Everything indicates, therefore, that the preparation for 2028 will gain prominence in the coming months.
More pilgrims on the Camino Lebaniego
But the most interesting fact comes from the Camino itself.
The Brotherhood's volunteers are detecting a very significant influx of pilgrims this year, especially during the summer months.
Many arrive from San Vicente de la Barquera following the Lebaniego Way to Santo Toribio.
The demand for the Lebaniega, the accreditation received by those who complete the pilgrimage, is being so high that it frequently sells out.
Even so, the organization ensures that no one leaves without it thanks to the foresight that is being maintained.
It is a clear sign that the Camino Lebaniego continues to gain visibility and attractiveness.
The Lignum Crucis, increasingly better known
For José Redondo, behind this growth is also the greater knowledge of the Lignum Crucis.
The relic constitutes one of the great spiritual elements of Santo Toribio and one of the main historical reasons for pilgrimage to Liébana.
According to the president of the Brotherhood, it is increasingly valued not only by Cantabrians, but also by visitors and pilgrims from the rest of Spain and abroad.
The arrival of people from numerous countries shows that Santo Toribio is gradually expanding its international dimension.
The twinning with the Holy Land marks 2026
This year has also had another especially important event.
On September 14, coinciding with the festival of the Holy Cross, the twinning was celebrated between the Monastery of Santo Toribio de Liébana and the Basilica of the Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem.
This link opens a new stage of religious, cultural and informative collaboration between both places.
During that day, a relic from Mount Calvario also arrived at Santo Toribio, which can be venerated together with the Lignum Crucis in certain events.
The twinning further reinforces the international dimension of the Lebanese sanctuary.
Three Franciscans and a network of volunteers
Another important aspect of the current life of the monastery is the role of volunteers.
The Franciscan community is made up of only three religious, of which two can celebrate mass.
For this reason, members of the Brotherhood are collaborating on a regular basis to help with different tasks.
Volunteers come to the monastery according to an established shift and support the Franciscans with their day-to-day needs.
This collaboration will continue in the coming months and will be especially important as the arrival of pilgrims increases.
The closing of “La Vez”
The traditional "Time" concluded this year with the Pilgrim's Mass celebrated in Santo Toribio.
The ceremony was presided over by Father Rafael Rizo, superior of the Franciscan community, accompanied by Brother Felipe and Brother Jesús.
One of the most symbolic moments was once again the procession of the Cross from the church to its chapel for veneration.
Six girls participated for the last time this year, carrying the candles during the celebration, maintaining a tradition linked to the religious events of the monastery.
A Path with more international weight
The growth of pilgrims, the twinning with Jerusalem and the preparations for 2028 draw an especially interesting scenario for the Camino Lebaniego.
Until a few years ago, its international projection was much lower than that of other great pilgrimage routes.
Today the situation is beginning to change.
Santo Toribio appears increasingly connected to international networks of pilgrimage and religious tourism.
The route from San Vicente de la Barquera gains walkers.
And the next Jubilee Year can become an important opportunity to consolidate this evolution.
The challenge of growing without losing identity
That growth also poses a challenge.
The Camino Lebaniego still retains a strong connection with the territory, with the small towns and with a way of pilgrimage closely linked to the landscape and spirituality.
The arrival of more people forces us to improve services, information, reception and coordination.
But at the same time it will be important to preserve what makes this route different.
The 2028 Jubilee can be a great opportunity as long as growth is accompanied by a balanced strategy.
2028 starts much earlier
Big events don't begin on opening day.
They start years before.
With meetings.
With decisions.
With improvements.
With volunteers.
And also with pilgrims who are beginning to arrive in greater and greater numbers.
That is precisely what is already happening in Santo Toribio.
The Lebaniego Jubilee Year of 2028 still seems far away.
But the Camino has already begun to walk towards him.
